Our projects

Current research projects

The Transforming Energy Markets Research Centre works with a range of partners to deliver research on energy markets design, analytics, regulation and innovation.

We use a variety of new research methods to address emerging challenges facing transitioning energy markets.

Discover our projects:

Understanding Australia’s energy crisis and market suspension

In 2022, the National Energy Market (NEM) in Australia was suspended, in an unprecedented move, after wholesale power prices had reached more than $10,000/MWh for sustained periods.

This mandated the capping of electricity prices at $300, causing many participants (particularly gas-fired power plants) to withdraw from the market.

Electricity supply was only maintained through the direct intervention of energy market regulators, obliging existing generators to contribute electricity to the grid.

Our research:

• documents the regulatory framework, rules and generator behaviour responsible for the crisis
• analyses the different impacts on regional markets in the NEM based on their generation mix.

Developing a renewable energy sentiment index for Australia

Understanding public sentiment towards the transition of energy markets is important because public perception influences policy and investment decisions in the sector.

This project applies analytical techniques to develop a renewable energy sentiment index for Australia. The index is derived by examining and measuring the sentiment of tweets by the Australian public, using lexicon-based methods as well as artificial intelligence.

The study aims to:

• develop the first Australian Renewable Energy Sentiment Index
• gain key insights into the dynamics of public perception on the energy transition in the Australian community
• identify key factors that shape attitudes towards renewable energy
• offer valuable information for policymakers and stakeholders in the energy sector.

Leading practice regulatory framework for hydrogen

This research project examines the requirements for establishing a legal framework to support a hydrogen framework.

Utilising a holistic approach, the project examines:

• the generation of hydrogen
• the development of a hydrogen market in the future.

This is a scoping project that will examine requirements from a big-picture perspective.

Biofuel production from co-processing of biomass and plastic wastes

This project assesses opportunities for co-processing plastic wastes with biomass to improve the quality of bio-fuel production.

Two different co-processing technologies are being investigated, including pyrolysis and gasification.

Different types of plastics are processed to:

• optimise the processing parameters
• maximise bio-oil production quality.

The work aims to design sustainable solutions to plastic waste management issues.